Foreword By The First Minister

The Programme for Government that we are publishing today
builds on a strong record of achievement - it sets out actions for
the coming year and a clear vision for the coming
decade.

At its centre is a commitment to introduce an Improvement
Framework for schools, to help us drive up attainment in all
schools, and to close the attainment gap. We aim to ensure that
children in all parts of Scotland - whether in our least or our
most affluent areas - have a fair chance to flourish.

That ambition encapsulates the themes which run through this
document. We want to create a fairer and more prosperous nation, in
which opportunities are open to everyone and where because of that,
everyone is able to contribute their talent, skill and
commitment.

We will make Scotland the best place in the
UK to do business - not
through a race to the bottom, but by focusing on innovation, skills
and productivity.

We will create a fairer country. We will promote a proper living
wage, fair work and use new powers to improve the welfare system,
mitigating some of the worst impacts of the
UK Government's cuts.

And as part of our work to achieve those aims, we will begin the
next phase of public service reform - for example by making our
unified police service more responsive to the needs of local
communities, and transforming primary health care.

The Programme also sets out the legislation we will introduce
over the coming year. We will introduce a bill to tackle Abusive
Behaviour and Sexual Harm. The Burial and Cremation Bill will meet
public concerns, and implement the recommendations of Lord Bonomy's
Report on Infant Cremation. The Private Tenancies Bill provides
tenants with protection against excessive rent rises, while also
giving clear rights and safeguards to landlords.

And the Programme sets out how we intend to use the additional
powers which are due to come to the Scottish Parliament. We will
take the first steps to delivery of a new social security system
and abolish the bedroom tax as soon as we have the power to do so.
We will reduce Air Passenger Duty - boosting connectivity and
supporting businesses. And we will abolish fees for employment
tribunals - ensuring that employees have a fair opportunity to have
their case heard.

Finally, the Programme for Government sets out our approach to
government. I am committed to leading the most accessible
Government this country has ever had and I want to ensure that we
build on the sense of engagement and enthusiasm that we saw - from
both sides of the debate - during last year's referendum. So we
will help people to have a bigger say in the decisions that affect
them most. During the next year we will consult on legislation to
give greater power to our island communities, and invest in our
Empowering Communities Fund.

Overall, this Programme for Government demonstrates how enduring
values - a belief in enterprise, a faith in the importance of
education, a commitment to fairness, equality and solidarity, and a
passion for democratic engagement - are being applied to make
Scotland a fairer and more prosperous country. It shows how this
Government intends to achieve our vision for Scotland's future.